In ancient Anglo-SaxonEngland, the ancestors of the Ippesly surname lived in Ipsley, in Warwickshire. The place-name Ipsley is composed of two Old English elements. The first is the word yppe, which meant "upland, high place." The second is leah, which meant "forest clearing." The place-name as a whole means "forest clearing on an upland; clearing in a high place."

Early History of the Ippesly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ippesly research.Another 115 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ippesly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ippesly Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Ippesly are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Ippesly include: Hippisley, Hippesley, Hippsley, Hipsey, Hipsley and others.

Early Notables of the Ippesly family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Ippesly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ippesly family to the New World and Oceana

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Ippesly or a variant listed above: Joseph Hippisley who settled in Maryland in 1774; William Hipsley settled in Barbados in 1654; transferring in 1670 to Virginia; Joe Hippsley settled in St. Christopher in 1635..

The Ippesly Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.